BERKLEY, Mich. -- The parking fine was $10. But the comment Robert Militzer added to the check could land him in jail for 30 days.

The computer programmer from Allen Park got the ticket May 29. When Militzer wrote the check to Berkley District Court, he scribbled on the memo line, "BULL (expletive) MONEY GRAB."

That got Militzer an in-person court appearance -- on a contempt of court charge. He's scheduled to go before a judge Wednesday, accompanied by an American Civil Liberties Union attorney who will argue Militzer's remark is protected by the First Amendment.

I don't see why this could be considered a crime. Personally, I think that the guy is a sign of the times--an example of rudeness overtaking our society. On the other hand, the courts really need to keep their eye on the ball. They've got a lot of problems to deal with that are more significant than this one, and let's face it, they've earned the level of disrespect they've gotten.

Was the check written to "The city of ....." or was it written to "Clerk of courts for .....".

If it's to the city he's off scott free, if it's to the clerk of courts he'd better start praying the ACLU guy/gal knows what the hell he/she is doing with respect to arguing first amendment rights cases.

Mind you I think what he did was great and that this is a BS (to use his words) charge in the first place.

That check is my property (only the funds that it transfers do they take possession of) and to be returned to me for my records after it is cashed. I'd think we could write whatever we want (except for obscenities, perhaps, which could be construed as harassing public workers).

24
posted on 06/27/2006 11:59:22 AM PDT
by Ghost of Philip Marlowe
(Liberals are blind. They are the dupes of Leftists who know exactly what they're doing.)

I wonder if they would have gone after him had he not used the S-Bomb.

I was wondering the same thing. I'm inclined to think 'yes', because the extra effort involved in pressing additional charges shows motivation well beyond the usual indignation over use of a curse word - especially when not proffered IN court. I think if he had written "Abuse of Judicial Power" or "Totally Bogus and Fraudulent Money Grab", he would have gotten a similar reaction.

I worked Law Enforcement for a lot of years. I was never a big ticket writer, but it is part of the job. Many a time the person on the receiving end would make a smart ass comment or mumble curses. I was always taught to let it go. They are venting anger. Usually they are angry at themselves for making a mistake. Some are angry because they got caught. AS long as they are not creating a scene, so what. The court could have cashed the check and the whole thing would have disappeared. The check writer knows why he got the ticket. He was just venting. In a very peaceful way I might add. Some judges are too thin skinned for the job. I'd say this judge is a piece of sh@t. Wanna bring me judgy boy?

29
posted on 06/27/2006 12:01:29 PM PDT
by MPJackal
("If you are not with us, you are against us.")

Let's see: The New York Times can divulge and publish details of secret activities designed to track down terrorists and it's "Freedom of Speech". A citizen expresses his feelings about the operations of a branch of government and it's "Contempt of Court". Somehow I don't believe that is what the Framers of the Constitution intended.

I don't think so - if you sign a ticket and pay it, it is probably an admission. However, if you don't sign it, judgement is rendered, and a fine has been levied, payment is merely an acknowledgement that the court has been vested with the power to collect fines. Saying otherwise would be like saying that "submitting to incarceration is an admission of guilt."

How dare he offend the rulers? He better learn his place in society. His job is to pay taxes, follow all laws that the rulers decide to enforce when they decide to enforce them and do as he is told while he recites 'yes masters' with out ever looking at them. Hopefully, the judge will explain all this to him before he collects his additional fine.

That's not what I was told. The judge said I could plead guilty or not or something else. I forget what it was called but it meant "just take the money. I can't afford to go to court". You can write your side of the story on the back, without getting in trouble though, if you keep it clean. It doesn't change things but it makes you feel better:')

Some judges are too thin skinned for the job. I'd say this judge is a piece of sh@t.

Actually, the really thin skinned was the clerk who presented it to the Judge. The clerk could have just let it pass, but did not. The Judge was then forced to do something. And yes, he could have let it pass as well.

Some judges are too thin skinned for the job. I'd say this judge is a piece of sh@t. Wanna bring me judgy boy?

He didn't write the check directly for a judge did he? He most likely sent it to some BS clerk at the traffic court, who got it and whined and gave it to some supervisor, who had this happen. I doubt a judge saw it until the whining began.

41
posted on 06/27/2006 12:10:27 PM PDT
by RetiredArmy
(JULY 1ST IS FREEDOM DAY!! WE MOVE OUT OF WA STATE FOREVER!!!!)

On parking tickets, I've written: "To: Department of Revenue Enhancement." So far I've been able to resist the temptation to add "BS" in there somewhere. Be warned though, if you ever have occasion to park in downtown Concord, NH, the meter attendants are numerous and merciless. The second your time's up, they'll decend on your car like a red-tailed hawk on a crippled squirrel.

I worked Law Enforcement for a lot of years. I was never a big ticket writer, but it is part of the job. Many a time the person on the receiving end would make a smart ass comment or mumble curses. I was always taught to let it go. They are venting anger.

That's wise advice - and it can save some embarrassment, too.

I have a friend who once cut through an empty dirt corner lot to get around traffic at an intersection. When a cop pulled him over for it, my friend stupidly made a comment about it being "the end of the month". The cop reacted angrily, and wrote my friend a ticket for reckless driving.

However, when it went to court, the judge got so angry at the cop (for the obviously trumped-up citation) that he ended up reducing my friend's ticket to a mere $10 trespassing charge - no moving violation. The only reason he didn't throw it out altogether is my friend admitted that he had said something to provoke the officer.

>>That got Militzer an in-person court appearance -- on a contempt of court charge. He's scheduled to go before a judge Wednesday, accompanied by an American Civil Liberties Union attorney who will argue Militzer's remark is protected by the First Amendment.<<

I agree with the ACLU on this one. The guy was rude and certainly not a hero but within his rights.

48
posted on 06/27/2006 12:17:26 PM PDT
by gondramB
(Unity of freedom has never relied upon uniformity of opinion.)

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